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Updates from the UK delegation to the 68th United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Photo: Adam Rountree/PA Images

The General Debate of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly takes place from 24 September to 4 October 2013. It is the largest and most diverse gathering in the diplomatic calendar, bringing together leaders and senior ministers from all 193 members of the United Nations. The Deputy Prime Minister is leading the high-level UK delegation who are participating in and hosting a number of events and meetings on our key foreign policy priorities.

International development

The UK is playing a leading role in discussions about global aims to eradicate poverty. A key objective of the week will be to establish how the international community makes progress with the Millennium Development Goals until they expire in 2015 and build support for the proposed post-2015 international framework for development.

What does the UK aid sector hope to see at the UN General Assembly? See quotes and photos in our Flickr gallery.

Social media at UN General Assembly 68

Stay connected to the latest happenings at the UN General Assembly 68 in New York through social media. Two main events will be live-tweeted. Regular updates throughout the week will be provided on a variety of social media channels.

Follow the handles, hashtags, and other social media accounts outlined below to stay connected.

Live tweeted events

Deputy Prime Minister’s speech to UN General Debate

The Deputy Prime Minister’s office will live tweet the Deputy Prime Minister’s address to the UN General Debate on Friday, 27 September. Follow the event at @DPMoffice or watch live online.

Prevention of sexual violence in conflict

On 24 September 2013 UK Foreign Secretary William Hague (@WilliamJHague) and Zainab Hawa Bangura, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence will call on members of the United Nations to sign a new declaration on preventing sexual violence, containing political and practical commitments to end these abhorrent crimes. The declaration expresses a shared commitment and determination to see an end to the use of rape and sexual violence as weapons of war and will serve as a platform for future practical activity, particularly in conflict and post-conflict affected countries.

The event will take place on 24 September from 2:30pm to 5pm EST (7:30pm to 10pm British Summer Time). @UKUN_NewYork and @FCOHumanRights will live tweet the event. Follow #timetoact and #sexualviolence to join the conversation and hear from the numerous countries that will sign the declaration.

Anyone can add their voice to the call to end sexual violence in conflict by signing up for the Thunderclap on 24 September.

MDG Countdown

On Tuesday 24 September, the Department for International Development (DFID) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will host MDG Countdown 2013, an event that will showcase how girls and women are a force for change in helping the world achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The event aims to push for action towards the MDGs by sharing some of the most inspiring examples of women’s leadership and innovative projects that are transforming societies. By giving girls and women greater voice, choice and control over their lives, they are able to lift themselves, their families and countries out of poverty.

Follow the event on Twitter on Tuesday 24 September between 2pm to 3:30pm Eastern Standard Time (7pm to 8:30pm British Summer Time) by following #MDGCountdown
or @DFID_UK.